Nicolas Antoine Boulanger

Nicolas Antoine Boulanger (11 November 1722, in Paris – 16 September 1759, in Paris) was a French philosopher and man of letters during the Age of Enlightenment.[1][2]

Biography

Born the son of a paper merchant in Paris, Boulanger studied first mathematics, and later ancient languages. He composed several philosophical works in which he sought to come up with naturalistic explanations for superstitions and religious practices, all of which were published posthumously. His major works were Research into the Origins of Oriental Despotism («Recherches sur l’origine du despotisme oriental», 1761) and Antiquity Unveiled («L’Antiquité dévoilée par ses usages», 1766). Boulanger's collected works were published in 1792.

The German-born Baron d'Holbach (Paul-Henri Thiry, 1723–1789) published his controversial anti-religious work Christianity Unveiled («Christianisme dévoilé», 1761), using Boulanger's name as his pseudonym, just two years after the philosopher's death.[3] Boulanger also was one of the first modern critics of Paul.[4]

Honours

The Koronian asteroid 7346 Boulanger, discovered in 1993, was named in his honor.[2]

References
  1. Kafker, Frank A. (1989). Notices sur les auteurs des dix-sept volumes de "discours" de l'Encyclopédie. Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie. 7. p. 133. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  2. "7346 Boulanger (1993 DQ2)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  3. Room, Adrian (2010). Dictionary of Pseudonyms. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. p. 71. ISBN 978-0786443734.
  4. Annet, Peter; Boulanger, Nicolas Antoine; Holbach, Paul Henri Thiry (1823). Critical Examination of the Life of St. Paul. R. Carlile.


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